Telephone-exchange system



J. L. WRIGHT. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JULY 12,1912.

Patented Nov. 21, 1922.

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J. L. WRIGHT.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JULY 12. I917.

1,436,135. Pafihied Nov. 21,192z

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J. L. WRI GHT. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JULYIZ. m1.

Patented Nov. 21, 1922;

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1' APPLICATION FILED JULY l2, 19!?- 1,436, 1 {5a, Patented Nov. 21, 192i 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

J. L. WRIGHT. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JULY 12. 1911. 1,436,135.

Patented Nov. 21, 1922.

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Patented Nov. 21, 1922.

u use ST A s J'OSEPH L. WEIGHT, 0]? CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES B. GARFIELD, TRUSTEE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO;

TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

Original application filed February 26, 1912. Serial No. 680,015. Patent No. 1,244,571, dated October 30, 1917. .llivided and this application filed July 12, 1917. Serial No. 180,131.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn L. WRI HT, a citizen of the United States. residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Exchange Systems,,,of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This/invention relates to telephone exchange systems, and especially to semi-automatic systems, which employ switching mechanism controlled by operators for effooting connections between subscribers.

This application is a division of my application 680,015, filed February 26, 1912, Patpnt No. 1,244,571, granted October 30, 191

The main feature of this invention is the provision of means to dispense with the operators transmitter so that it will be unnecessary for her to ask the number of the wanted party, since this operation is automatically performed.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,"wherein Fig. 1 shows a subscribers line equipment and control circuit; Fig. 2 shows a primary and first selector circuit; Fig. 3 shows a key set control circuit together with a time element controlling device or kick-off switch; Fig. 4 shows the circuit of the operators key set switch and its associated shifting switch; and Fig. 5 shows an operators keyboard and sending device. 2

The subscriber at A, upon removing his receiver, closes the circuit of the line relay 2 in series with the group relay 3. This latter relay operating closes the circuit of relay 4.. which in turn connects ground to one terminal of the relay 5, and also closes the circuit of the stepping magnet T. The stepping magnet 7 operating closes the circuit of'relay 6, which in turn opens the circuit of the magnet, causing it to Vibrate and step around'the wipers of the switch W. This switch will continue to rotate until an idle primary switch. such as shown at C (Fig. 2) is found. As soon as such an idle switch is found, relay 5 is placed in series with relay 21 (Fig. 2), by the following path: ground, contact of relay'4, 5, 1:8, left'hand armature and contact of relay 7 6 (Fig. 3), 148, upper bank of switch W, 14, 21, 70, inner rightha nd back contact and armature of relay 24 to battery B. The relay 5 becoming energized opens the circuit of the stepping magnet 7, bringing the switch "W to rest. Relay 21 operating closes the circuit of the rotary stepping magnet 31 by the following path: battery B,outer right-hand contact of relay 21, 80, back contact of relay 24, 71, contact of relay 28, back contact of relay 22, winding of magnet 31 to ground. The operation of magnet 31 causes the primary switch C to rotate until the wiper 64 reaches the busy contact, to which is connected wire 13, leading to the contacts of relay 3.

The wiper 64 is carried on the same spindle with wipers 63 and 65, and while the switch is rotating, the wiper 64 passes over contacts rendered busy by the action of relay 3. As there are ten'of these group relays to each one hundred lines, it follows that the wiper 64, toreach its extreme position, passes over ten contacts.

There are ten sets of individual contacts arranged in vertical rows, associated with each row contact, and which the wipers 63 and 65 respectively engage. It, therefore. follows that after the switch picks out the group in which a line is calling, it will afterward step vertically until the wipers engage the contacts of the calling line.

As soon as the row contact is found, the circuit of relay 22 is closed as follows: battery B, outer right-hand armature and contact of relay 21, SO, left-hand armature and contact of relay 24, 71, winding of relay 22, 64. 13, contact and left-hand armature of relay 3 to ground. The relay 22 operating disconnects the rotary magnet 31, and in its place connects the vertical magnet 30, thereby causing the switch to step vertically until the busy individual test contact is found. As soon as such a contact is found, the circuit of relay 24 is closed by the following path 2 battery B. winding of relay 24, 68, 67, 11, contacts and armature of relay 2 to ground through the contacts of relay 1. The relay 24 operating opens the wire 71, disconnecting relay 22 which in falling back disconnects relay 24 from wire 67 and connects it instead to wire 66. The relay 24is now placed in series with relay 1 and the operating of this latter relay disconnects line relay 2 and the group relay 3,. The operating of relay 24 connects battery to the windings of relays 23 and 25, andthe falling back of relay 22 connects ground to the retardation coil. 26, and battery is thereby supplied to the calling subscriber for talking purposes through the windings of relay 23 and re tardation coil 26.

The relay 21 remains energized until the primary switch finds the calling line, and until the key-set switch finds the calling trunk. The relay 21 when first actuated places battery on the wire 79 to relay 130 to ground, and also places battery to wire 62 leading to the individual test contact of the key-set switch (Fig. 4).

The relay 130 operating closes the circuits of the stepping magnet 133 of the switch Y through the normally closed contacts of relays 131 and 132. The switch magnet 133 in operating closes the circuit of the interrupter relay 134,-which causes a vibrating effect between the magnet and the relay, and the switch will continue to rotate until an idle key-set switch is found.

When such a switch is found, as shown in Fig. 4, relay 131 is placed in series with relay 152 (Fig. 4) by the following path: ground, contacts of relay 130, 131, 138, through the bank contacts of Y, 140, 152, 195, 196, 197, to battery through the operators jack 400.

Relay 131 operating places battery on wire 136 to relay 132, causing it to operate. As soon as this latter relay operates, it places ground on wire 130, thereby shunting relay 131., This direct ground makes the wire 140, which is multipled to other Y switches, busy. The operating of relay 132 also places ground on the row wiper of the key-set switch by the following path: ground, 139, bank contacts of Y. 141, to the row contact (Fig. 4). Relay 152 operating. places ground on the rotary magnet 165, through the back contact of relay 153, thereby causing the switch M to rotate. This switch will continue to rotate until the contact row is found, whereupon the circuit of the relay 153 is closed by the following path:

'. and should only remain energized long enough for the key-set switch (Fig. 4) to pick out the tenth contact in the tenth row. The magnet TTcauses theSWit-Ch X to rotate when contact springs 36 are closed by a suitable cam on the sending device. These contacts are closed once at each rotation of the sending device. i.

. If the key-set switch M fails to operate in the time allotted, the release magnet 166 of the key-set switch M is operated to release The operating of relay 153 disconnects the rotary magnet 165 and in its place connects the vertical magnet 164, therebycauslng the key-set switch to step vertically until the busy individual test contactls found.

As soon as this contact is found, the circuit of the relay 154 is closed asfollows: ground, 154, 172, 62, 80, contacts of relay 21 to battery B. The operating-of relay 154 CllS- connects relay 152, thereby cutting off the vertical magnet causing the key-set switch M to rest on contacts leading to the'calling primary trunk (Fig. 2). Relay 152 becoming disconnected opens the circuit of relay 153, and this latter relay in falling back places relays 156 and 25 in series by the following path: ground, back contact of relay 153, 175, backcontact otrelay 157, 202, contacts of relay 155 winding of relay 156, 193 contacts of relay 158, 170, 169', 59, 25, to battery B through the contacts' of relay 24. The operating of relay 25dis-, connects relay 21 and relay 5 (Fig. The releasing of relay 5 trees the switch 1V, allowing it to pick out other primary switches. Releasing of relay 5 completes the circuit of stepping magnet 7 so, that itcan again be operated. by the energization of relay 4. i I

Relay 156 operating, places battery on wires 181 and 183, thereby lighting the two lamps 243 and 244 (Fig. 5).

As soon as relay 21, in Fig. 2, became disconnected. battery was removed from the individual test contactof the key-set switch, thereby allowing the relay 154 total] back. The deenergization of relay 21 also opens the circuit of relay 130, which in turn opens the circuit of relay. 132. and allows the switch Y to be used by other trunks in picking out key-set switches. v o

The lighting of the two lamps 243 and 241-. notifies the operator of a call. .She then presses the button 248, operating relay 155,

thereby connecting the operators telephone set;across the. tip andsleeve conductors of the trunk. The action of relay 155 disconnects relay 156, extinguishing lamps 243 and 244, but at the same time lighting the lamp 245. The relay 156 becomingdisconnected allows relay 25 of Fig. 2 to deenergize, closing the tip and sleeve conductors of the primary trunk andallo'wing the calling subing button .2 18. which is of the non-locking type, and while in the depressed position, a

tone test is connected to the primary of the induction coil and from there to the secondary to the calling line. Theoperation of the button 2&8 causes the energization of relay 155. The operation of this relay 155 connects the tone test from 880 thecontacts of button 248 and contacts of relay 155 to the sleeve side of the operators trunk extending to the wiper and contact to the wire 61 which extends tothe sleeve side of the primary trunk Figure 2. The calling subscriber hearing this tone test, knows that the operator is ready to receive his call and at once gives the number desired. any suitable tone test arrangement may be employed, such as is shown at 881, in a. This tone testis provided with a constantly operating commutator 870, which makes and breaks the circuit of the primary of the transformer 8'75. The secondary of the transformer in turn has its circuit interrupted by. a suitable niake-and-break device 880, which produces a musical tone .when connected to the primary ofthe operators induction coil. With the foregoing arrangement the duties of the operator are simplified and the efficiency of the apparatus is increased. as the operator cannot converse with the calling subscriber.

The subscrib'ers in turn know that they cannot converse with the operators and will givetheir numbers promptly upon getting the proper signal. thereby reducing all delays. lt will also be noticed with either arrangement, as shown, that when the calling subscriber is giving his number the primary of the operators induct-ion coil is opened. thus preventing her hearing the noises in the operating room which ordii'iarily are taken up by the transmitter, and she can, therefore. hear the calling subscriber more distinctly.

The operator, aftergetting the proper number from the calling subscriber. presses one button in each row corresponding; to the number desired and then presses the starting button 247, which closes the circuit of relay 157 by the following path: ground, 247', 186. 1-57, 193, 170, 169, 59, 25, to battery B through the contacts of relay 2%. The relay 25 again operating opens the trunk conductors toprevent the calling subscriber from hearing the impulses.

. The operatlon of relay 15K d sconnects the. relay 156, extinguishes lamp 245 and 3 Qua switch at N, O, P talre one step and connect the impulse wire 19]. to the tip side of the trunk 150 through the contacts of relay 160.

If No. 9 button in the row R is pressed. the relay 160 will be held energized by the operation of the cam 240 until nine impulses have been transmitted by the commutator These impulses operate the rotary relay 29 (Fig. 2) by the following path: ground, 242, 191, 190, contacts of relay 160, 198, N, 150, 167, 60, be, 29, L2, cam springs 40 to battery B. The relay 29 responding to these impulses, closes the circuit of the rotary magnet 84, causing the first selector switch D to rotate and come opposite a group of trunks in the ninth row. As soon as the springs operated by the rotary magnet 34 are closed, ground is at once placed between the winding of relay 29 and coil 42, thereby shunting out relay 29, and this relay falling back removes battery from the wind ing of the magnet 34 itself. It will be noticed that if the impulse from the sending device had been a trifle long, the relay 29 would be shunted out just as soon as the magnet 34. finishes its stroke.

After these rotary impulses have been sent. the starting carn causes the shifting switch to take another step, thereby connecting wire 198 to the sleeve side of trunk 151. The relay 160 is now held up by the action of the cam 230 until a single impulse transmitted. This impulse operates the relay 27 (Fig. 2) by the following path: ground, A2. 191, 190, 192, contacts of relay 160. 19s, 151, e1, relay 2 cam springs ll) to be ;ery

The. relay 2'? receiving this impulse, is held energized by the following path battery B, contacts of relay 25, looking contacts of relay 27, 58, contacts of relay 28. 72,32, 75, earn springs 41 to ground. These cam springs were operated when the switch D tool its first rotary motion. The operating of relay 27 closes the circuit of the vertical magnet 33, by the following path: battery 13, contacts of relay 28, 711, contacts of relay 2T. 33 to ground. The nlagnetg ll in operating closes the circuit of the relay 28. which in turn opens the circuit of the magnet 33 itself. The action of this relay and ma net causes the latter to vibrate, stepping the switch D vertically. When the circuit of relay 28 is closed by the action of the magnet 33. the circuit of relay 2? is itself partially opened but it will remain energized by the test wiper 57 in passing over grounded or busy contacts, for while the magnet 28 is operated and the wiper 57 comes to rest on an idle contact, the relay 27 will at once be- .in

test contacts before the relay 27 is opened by the action of relay 28.

As soon as the switch takes its first vertical step, or while it is in the act of taking this step, the cam springs 10 are opened, thereby disconnecting relays 27 and 29 respectively from the tip and sleeve sides of the trunk. After the test wiper 57 picks out an idle trunk,the subscriber is connected to an idle selecting switch (not shown).

At succeeding rotations of the sending device, impulses corresponding to the hundreds, tensand units digits are sent over the tip side of the trunk.

The succeeding selector and connector switches (not shown) are operated in a manner similar to the operation of the primary selector D under the control of the sending device.

At the last rotationv of the sending devices the relay 158 of Fig. 4c is connected to battery, through the bank P, and the actuation of this relay places ground on magnet 161 and also unlocks relay 157. The magnet 161 vibrates rapidly and causes the shifting switch to rotate until the wipers. reach their normal or resting position. Just before reaching the normal position, the wlper of bank P places the relay 158 in series with the release magnet 166, thereby causlng the switch M to restore. This switch restorlng disconnects the operators key set from the rima-ry trunk and it is immediately available for other calls.

The calling subscriber by hanging up h1s receiver causes the relay 23 (Fig. 2) to fall back as the circuit of the line is open and relay 23 fails to receive current and thereupon becomes deenergized, thereby closlng the circuit of the release magnet 32 by the following path: battery 13, cams 38, 73, contact of relay 23, 58, 72, 32, 75, cam springs 41.,to ground. Magnet 32 operating releases the primary switch C, and thls switch 1I1 returning opens the cam springs 38, thereby removing the shunt from magnet 35 and allowing it to become energized as follows: battery B, 35, 73, contacts of relay 23, 58, 58, 72, 32, 7 5, cam springs 41, toground. This operates the release magnet 35 and causes the first selector switch D to restore, opening the cam springs 41 and opening the circuit of magnet 35.

' In disclosing the present invention nonnumerical switches have been shown for entending a calling lineto an operators pos1- tion. Itwill be understood that this connection may also be established manually without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, the combinatlon with subscribers lines, of an operators receiver circuit, a second circuit, a transformer and interrupting means in said second cirsubscribers line to sound the tone test on said line, means for controlling the con-;

necting means, and means for disconnecting the second circuit on release of thecontrollingmeans. l r

2. In a telephone system, the combination with subscribers lines, of an operators receiver circuit, means for connecting the operators receiver circuit to a calling subscribers line, a second circuit associated with the operators receiver circuit and comprising a transformer having a primary circuit and a secondary circuit, nterrupting means in the primary circuit, other interrupting means in the secondary circuit, means for operating the interrupting means, means for closing the second circuit simultaneously with the connection of the operators receiver circuit to the line, and means operable 'on the release of the closing means for dis connecting the second circuit, f' v v v 3. In a telephone exchange system com prisingcircuits available for calling purposes, an operators position, an operators' receiver circuit at said position common to said circuits, automatic switching-"mocha nisin for extending said circuits to said operators position, a device for interrupting said operators receiver circuit, and means under control of the operator for connecting said interrupted receiver circuit to a calling subscribers line inclicatinglthat said line is connected to said operators position.

4. In a telephone system, the combination with calling telephone lines, of line relays for said lines and switching mechanism controlled thereby for finding said lines, and an electrical emerency device rendered operable by the operation of any-of said line relays and prevented from operating by the operation of said switching mechanism.

5. In a telephone system, the combination with calling telephone lines, of line relays for said lines and switching mechanism controlled thereby for finding said lines, a relay having an energizingcircuit closed by the operation of any of said line' relays, means made operative in the operation of said switching mechanism for rendering said energizing circuit inliietive, and slow-acting electrical emergency mechanism controlled by said relay. p

6. In a call distributing system, the combination with a pluralityof lines and a plurality of finder switches for making connection therewith, of a starting relay for starting the movement of a finder switch'to connect with a calling 'line,a controlling circuit for said startingfrelay, means responsive to the initiation of a callfor altering the electrical condition of said controlling circuit to operate said starting relay, an elec trical emergency device, a timingdevice for operating the same a predetermined interval after the electrical condition of said con trolling circuit is altered, and means for preventing the operation of said emergency device made active in the operation of said starting relay.

7. In a call distributing system, the combination with aplurality of lines and a finder switch for making connection therewith, of a starting relay for said finder switch, an electrical emergency device, a controlling circuit for said starting relay and said emergency device, means responsive to the initiation of a call for altering the electrical conditions of said controlling circuit to operate said starting relay first and said emergency device a predetermined interval thereafter, and means for preventing the operating of said emergency device made operative in the actuation of said starting relay.

8. In a telephone system, the combination with a plurality of call-extending circuits and a plurality of operators positions, of position-selecting apparatus common to said. circuits and positions, an energizing circuit for said position-selecting apparatus,

an electrical emergency device, means associated with each call-extending circuit for closing said energizing circuit, and a definite interval thereafter operating said emergency! device, and means made active in the operation of said position-selecting apparatus for preventing the operation of said emergency device.

9. In a telephone system, the combination with a plurality of call-extending circuits, of a position selecting apparatus common thereto, an energizing circuit for said position selecting apparatus, means under the control of each of said call-extending circuits for closing said energizing circuit, means made operative in the operation of said position-selecting apparatus for opening said energizing circuit, an electrical emergency device and means for operating the same made effective by the closure of said energizing circuit for longer than the normal interval required for the operation of said position-selecting apparatus.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of July A. D., 1917.

JOSEPH L, WRIGHT. 

